Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

By Tony Moss, NFL Editor

(Sports Network) - Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will embark on a dress rehearsal of sorts on Friday night, when the quarterback and his team travel to meet the Denver Broncos in the third preseason tune-up for each club.

The third game of the preseason traditionally presents an opportunity for starters to see their most extensive time during the month of August, as the fourth and final contest generally includes regulars for only brief appearances.

In that regard, Friday's game will be a pivotal outing for Rodgers.

The first-year starter has had his struggles thus far in the preseason, sustaining six sacks in two games and posting a middling 71.3 passer rating.

In last Saturday's 34-6 trouncing at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, Rodgers was 9-of-16 for 58 yards and failed to execute a touchdown drive.

Rookie Brian Brohm, who is expected to be Rodgers' primary backup this season, has also had his share of difficulties in the preseason. Brohm is 12-of-26 for 103 yards without a touchdown and with one interception thus far in August.

Linebacker A.J. Hawk (chest), defensive tackles Ryan Pickett (hamstring) and Justin Harrell (back), and running back Ryan Grant (hamstring) are among the Green Bay players considered questionable for the Denver game.

Unlike his counterpart with the Packers, Denver quarterback Jay Cutler has been mostly sharp in the preseason to date. The former first-round pick is 24- of-30 for 237 yards and a touchdown during the tune-up period, and will put am impressive passer rating of 110.7 on the line in Friday's contest.

Less certain for the Broncos is the running back situation, with Selvin Young (13 carries, 39 yards), Andre Hall (15 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD), and Michael Pittman (21 carries, 54 yards) all failing to distinguish themselves thus far.

Young is expected to get the start on Friday.

Center Tom Nalen (knee) will be unavailable for the Broncos after undergoing knee surgery earlier this week. Nalen is expected to miss next week's preseason finale at Arizona as well, but could be ready for the regular season opener at Oakland Sept. 8th.

Denver has a 6-2 edge in its all-time preseason series against Green Bay, but was a 22-7 road loser in the last such meeting, prior to the 2001 season.

The Packers were 19-13 winners when they visited Denver in regular season action last Oct. 29th.